Recognitions in Accordance with the Dharma

        All of the monastics in our association were astonished when our association received recognition certificates and congratulatory messages sent by H.H. Great Vehicle Dharma King Sakya Trizin, the supreme leader of the Sakya order; H.H. Dharma King Dodrupchen, the supreme leader of the Longchen Nying-thik; H.H. Dharma King Penor, the supreme leader of the Nyingma sect; H.H. Dharma King Omniscience Jamyang Lungdok Gyaltsen Achuk; H.H. Dharma King Jigme Dorje, the supreme leader of the Jonang sect; H.H. Dharma King Trulshik; H.E. Dharma King Chogye Trichen; H.E. Sharmapa Rinpoche, the Red Jewel Crown Regent Dharma King; H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, the Orange Jewel Crown Regent Dharma King and National Master; H.E. Xiazhu Qiuyang Rinpoche; H.E. Mighty Lion Dharma King Renzeng Nima; H.E. Dharma King Ngagwang Pedma Namgyal Palzangpo; H.E. Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche; H.E. Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche; H.E. Urgyen Xirao Woxiu; H.E. Dorje Rinzin Rinpoche; H.E. Dharma King Shechen Rabjam; Venerable Angwang Khyentse Rinpoche; H.E. Dzogchen Dharma Kings; H.E. Eastern Tibet Dharma King of the Nyingma sect; H.E. Karmapa Green Jewel Crown Dharma King; Venerable Junmai Baima Dorje Rinpoche, and other holy dharma kings and rinpoches recognizing the identity or status of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata. The monastics in our association could not understand how H.H. Dharma King Omniscience Achuk and those other persons of holy virtue were qualified to recognize the highest ancient Buddha, H.H. Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu.

        Eminent monastics informed us that H.H. Lama Achuk, H.H. Dharma King Renzeng Nima, and H.E. Urgyen Xirao issued their recognitions in addition to the recognition issued by H.H. Mahavairocana Tathagata. We learned from their recognition certificates that their recognitions were not based upon understanding derived through normal investigation. Rather, they reached their conclusions by deeply entering the dharmadhatu and applying supernatural vision in accordance with the strict and holy dharma of Tibetan Buddhism for determining the incarnation of rinpoches. The documents they issued were in conformity with solemn dharma rules. They are undoubtedly Buddhas or Bodhisattvas. Knowing that they are Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, we now know their relationship to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Buddha Vajradhara is the Master of the Five Buddhas and the first Buddha with form in the entire dharma realm. It is not possible to find a Buddha who is higher than Dorje Chang Buddha. Thus, only other Buddhas and Mahasattvas can recognize a being as Dorje Chang Buddha since there is no ancient Buddha higher than Dorje Chang Buddha in the entire dharmadhatu!

        We specially requested a discourse on this matter from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said that He could only speak the truth. His Holiness said that there were two things that should be relied upon and two things that should not be accepted. The Buddhas and Mahasattvas have completely renounced all false, erroneous, and meaningless speech. Otherwise, they would not be Buddhas or Mahasattvas. Thus, the first thing that should be relied upon is the words of Buddhas or Mahasattvas. If dharma kings and rinpoches of great holiness in our world today are not Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, then there is no Buddhism in this world. Thus, the second thing that should be relied upon is those Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Only ordinary people have a penchant for speaking falsely. Thus, the first thing that should not be accepted is the false recognitions of ordinary people. Demons deceive and confuse living beings. Thus, the second thing that should not be accepted is anything to do with demons. With that brief teaching, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III cut right to the core of the truth. If dharma kings, a national master, and regent dharma kings are not Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, then Buddhism truly does not exist on this earth.

        However, we were unable to understand which Buddhas or Bodhisattvas H.H. Dharma King Sakya Trizin, H.H. Lama Achuk, and the others are incarnations of after all. In order that the monastics in our association could understand more precisely and definitively the reincarnated identities of H.H. Great Vehicle Dharma King Sakya Trizin and the others, we respectfully invited H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata to recognize them by identifying which beings of holy virtue they are reincarnations of. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said that He is just an ordinary person and that He does not have the ability to discern the identities of rinpoches. We tried our utmost to explain to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III this wish that everybody had, but His Holiness continued to deny that He had the realization to recognize their reincarnated identities. Thus, His Holiness rejected our request in a very firm tone of voice. All we could do was return to our association without accomplishing our goal.

        However, there was more and more discussion in society as to whether those people were qualified to recognize the identity of Dorje Chang Buddha. There were even people who said that it was quite ridiculous for those “so-called” dharma kings and rinpoches to recognize the identity of Dorje Chang Buddha. Those people thought it was ridiculous that those dharma kings and rinpoches regarded themselves as persons of great holiness who could see past and future lives. Thus, those people questioned the supernatural powers that those dharma kings and rinpoches relied upon to discern the identity of Dorje Chang Buddha.

        The opinions of all these people became as loud as thunder. Their groundless assertions brought a great deal of pressure upon us as they continued to sully the good roots of Buddhist disciples. It was only right that our International Buddhism Sangha Association provide to everyone an answer to this question. We therefore asked some rinpoches from around the world to look into and discuss this matter. We wanted them to affirm whether or not those holy persons of great virtue who recognized the identity of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III were truly Buddhas or Bodhisattvas. The result was that different reincarnated identities were recognized for each of those holy rinpoches of great virtue. Take, for example, H.H. Dharma King Sakya Trizin. Some said that he is the incarnation of Manjushri Bodhisattva. Some said he is the incarnation of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva. Some said he is the incarnation of Vajrasattva. Some said he is the incarnation of Amitabha Buddha. Some said he is the incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. Some said his is the incarnation of Patriarch Naropa, and so on. A unanimous conclusion could not be drawn.

        Therefore, we again paid our respects to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. We explained this impure karma that was taking place in society and how the good roots of living beings had been damaged as a result. We expressed our hope that His Holiness would save everyone. At this time, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III said, “This is the way living beings are. The identities of those rinpoches were recognized a long time ago. What is the need for more recognitions? Since the situation has come to this, I, an ordinary person, will tell you my views on their identities.

        We then took out a list of the names of 108 dharma kings and rinpoches. After H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III read the list once, His Holiness gave His views on the identities of twelve dharma kings and rinpoches that were on the list. On that very auspicious morning at about eleven o’clock, we recorded on paper the true reincarnated identities of those twelve dharma kings and rinpoches. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III precisely and definitively recognized them. H.H. Dharma King Sakya Trizin was recognized as the nirmanakaya of Manjushri Bodhisattva, H.H. Dharma King Pema Norbu was recognized as the nirmanakaya of Vajrapani Bodhisattva. H.H. Dharma King Dodrupchen was recognized as the nirmanakaya of Guru Padmasambhava. H.H. Dharma King Omniscience Jamyang Lungdok Gyaltsen was recognized as the incarnation of venerable Longsal Nyingpo. H.H. Dharma King Jigme Dorje was recognized as the incarnation of the Shambhala King Suchandra. H.H. Dharma King Trulshik was recognized as the nirmanakaya of Maitreya Bodhisattva. H.E. Mighty Lion Dharma King Renzeng Nima was recognized as the nirmanakaya of King Gesar. H.E. Urgyen Xirao Woxiu was recognized as the incarnation of the great terma master Urgyen Lingpa. The Red Jewel Crown Regent Dharma King H.E. Shamarpa Rinpoche was recognized as the nirmanakaya of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva. The Orange Jewel Crown Regent Dharma King and National Master H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab was recognized as the incarnation of Patriarch Gampopa. H.E. Dorje Rinzin Rinpoche was recognized as the incarnation of Rigzin Terdak Lingpa Unchanging Vajra. H.E. Xiazhu Qiuyang Rinpoche was recognized as the incarnation of Patriarch Naropa.

        When we again paid our respects to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, His Holiness granted our request and, randomly selecting the names of some dharma kings and rinpoches from the list that we brought, made the following recognitions. H.E. Dharma King Ngagwang Pedma Namgyal Palzangpo was recognized as the incarnation of Duqing Langwa. H.E. Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche was recognized as the incarnation of Holy Mother Yeshe Tsogyal. H.E. Dharma King Rabjam was recognized as the incarnation of Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche. H.E. Junmai Baima Dorje Rinpoche was recognized as the nirmanakaya of Vajravarahi. Because there were so many people on the list, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III pointed to the names of some famous dharma kings and rinpoches and said that they are incarnations of rinpoches. Among those names were H.E. Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche; Venerable Angwang Khyentse Rinpoche; H.E. Jigme Losel Wangpo, the Dzogchen Dharma King (residing in India); H.E. Tenzin Longdock Nyima, the Dzogchen Dharma King (residing in China); H.E. Renqing Rongbo Barongbo Rinpoche, an eastern Tibetan Dharma King of the Nyingma sect; H.E. Karmapa Green Jewel Crown Dharma King; Venerable Kalsang Gyaltsen; Venerable Zangxia Rinpoche; Venerable Yundeng Jiangcuo Rinpoche; Respected Banda Tudeng Gele Gyatso Rinpoche; Respected Baima Rongzhu Rinpoche; Respected the fifth Eba Rinpoche; Respected Khenpo Chucheng Qupei; Respected Wangzhi Tudeng Jinmei Rinpoche; Respected Bishop Seicho Asahi, the supreme leader of the Koyasan Shingon-shu North American Mission of Buddhism; Gele Sangbu Rinpopche; Luozhu Jiangcuo Rinpoche; Lama Renzhen Rinpoche, Duozhu Rinpoche; Gongbo Rinpoche; Great Khenpo Gongcheng, Pengcuo Rinpoche and others.

        We took out the list of recognitions made by other rinpoches and compared them with the recognitions of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Because some of the recognitions of other rinpoches differed from those of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, we found it difficult to determine which recognitions were true. Thus, members of our association met to discuss this matter. In the end we decided to respectfully ask H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to use the Drawing Lots From a Golden Vase Dharma to set the matter to rest. However, after our many explanations, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III politely and humbly said that He did not have the realization to perform the Drawing Lots From a Golden Vase Ceremony. All of us knew that holy dharma kings recognized the identity of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and wrote congratulatory messages corroborating those recognitions. Still, His Holiness said that such recognitions and congratulatory messages were flattery from dharma kings and rinpoches to an ordinary person. We then stated to His Holiness: “If it were just a matter of flattery, why did each of those persons of holy virtue identify His Holiness as Dorje Chang Buddha III? Holy people speak the truth. Could it be that those people of holy virtue who speak the truth engaged in flattery? We believe that they are people of great holiness and virtue and that they act responsibly toward living beings. They would definitely not act irresponsibly by carelessly speaking or recklessly writing documents so as to deceive living beings.” H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III replied, “You have spoken very well. It is absolutely correct that they are people of great holiness and virtue. I am Dorje Chang III. Dharma Kings would not recklessly write documents. However, I am an ordinary person. I am not capable of performing the Drawing Lots From a Golden Vase Ceremony.”

        Since we truly were unable to persuade His Holiness to perform that ceremony, we returned to the temple to discuss the matter with rinpoches. Everyone was of the view that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III must be the one who draws the lots. If the greatest holy being in the world today, the Holiest Tathagata, does not have the realization to draw lots from a golden vase, then no other holy being can be found in the entire world who does. Thus, we again paid our respects to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. After we prostrated to His Holiness but before we said anything, His Holiness said, “Eminent monastics and practitioners of great virtue, is it all right with you that I be at peace for a while? No matter what you say, I will not perform the Drawing Lots From a Golden Vase Ceremony. You wanted me to recognize those people, and I gave you my views on their identities. Still, you do not stop. You are going too far.” There being no way to convince His Holiness, our association decided to invite H.E. Gar Tongstan IV to draw the lots from a golden vase. H.E. Gar Tongstan IV is a highly accomplished rinpoche who together with another rinpoche used dharma water to bathe the Buddha by tilting a 4,260-pound lotus tub filled with water, causing the water to pour into another tub.

        We held a month-long dharma assembly in which we recited sutras, chanted mantras, and practiced rituals. At the final stage, we listed together on large boards the results of the recognitions done by other rinpoches and dharma kings with those done by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Because H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III is the highest and holiest Tathagata, three minutes before the lots were drawn from a golden vase we circled in red the numbers on the boards that corresponded to the reincarnated identities recognized by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. We did not circle any numbers on the boards that corresponded to the reincarnated identities recognized by other rinpoches or dharma kings. We then used a red cloth to cover all of the boards. No one knew what numbers on the boards were circled in red other than the person who drew the circles. This included H.E. Gar Tongstan IV, who would ascend the dais to draw the lots. However, it was announced to everyone that the numbers with a red circle around them indicated the reincarnated identities recognized by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Under the watchful eyes of all attendees, three groups composed of different nuns, dharma teachers, and rinpoches each performed different functions separately to seal and sheathe the lots. Each lot was measured, and everyone could see that the length, size, and color of each lot were exactly the same. After the lots were sheathed in yellow-golden silk sheaths during the third phase, nobody knew the number that corresponded to any particular lot, including those who sheathed the lots.

        At that Drawing Lots From a Golden Vase Ceremony, the reincarnated identities of twelve people of great holiness were recognized. The reincarnated identity of the first person was recognized by drawing one lot from 120 lots. The reincarnated identity of the second person was recognized by drawing one lot from 119 lots. The reincarnated identity of the last person was recognized by drawing one lot from 109 lots. After all twelve lots were drawn but before the sheaths covering the lots were removed, the big red cloth covering the large boards was unveiled. For each of the twelve dharma kings and rinpoches, the number circled in red indicating his reincarnated identity recognized by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was revealed for all to see along with the reincarnated identities recognized by other dharma kings and rinpoches. At this time, the process of removing the sheaths from the twelve lots and taking out the number inside each of those twelve lots began in front of all the attendees, with the entire process videotaped. The number inside each of the twelve lots that were drawn matched exactly the number circled in red on the boards, which was the true reincarnated identity recognized by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III with respect to each of those twelve dharma kings and rinpoches! The results were completely accurate without even one discrepancy between the lots drawn and the circled numbers on the boards!

        At this time, the remaining 108 lots were also unsheathed and the numbers inside them were taken out in front of everyone. Those numbers were then arranged in numerical order from one to 120. All we can say is that the true Holiest Tathagata Dorje Chang Buddha III, who is the highest ancient Buddha in the dharmadhatu, lit a guiding lamp enabling living beings to know who are Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the world today! H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu recognized which holy being each of those dharma kings and rinpoches was a true incarnation or nirmanakaya of. Such recognitions were the most excellent recognitions in the history of Buddhism. In the second Drawing of Lots From a Golden Vase Ceremony, the identities of only four people of great virtue were recognized. The identities of all of the remaining rinpoches were already recognized by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III when His Holiness simply said that they were incarnations of rinpoches. Since His Holiness did not specifically state their past life identities, it was not appropriate to draw lots to determine such identities. The results of the drawing of lots for those four dharma kings and rinpoches were the same as the first drawing the reincarnated identities recognized by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III were all correct since all of the lots drawn matched the reincarnated identities recognized by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

        When faced with such Buddha-dharma realization, there is nothing that anyone can say. We all gave rise to the most sincere respect for those holy dharma kings who are incarnations of Buddhas and great Bodhisattvas. Although H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu did not participate in those ceremonies, His Holiness extended His wishes that all of them live in the world a long time, that they forever turn the wheel of the dharma, and that they fulfill their wish of benefiting the countless living beings by enabling such living beings to become Buddhas.

        In order to thank those dharma kings and rinpoches who recognized and corroborated the identity of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, we sent out letters and dispatched people to them. Those dharma kings and rinpoches personally wrote back to us. We were very moved by this.

        All of the monastics in our association again pray that H.H. Great Vehicle Dharma King Sakya Trizin; H.H. Dharma King Dodrupchen; H.H. Dharma King Penor, H.H. Dharma King Omniscience Jamyang Lungdok Gyaltsen; H.H. Dharma King Jigme Dorje; H.H. Dharma King Taklung Tsetrul; H.H. Dharma King Trulshik; H.E. Sharmapa, the Red Jewel Crown Regent Dharma King; H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab, the Orange Jewel Crown Regent Dharma King and National Master; H.E. Xiazhu Qiuyang Rinpoche; H.E. Mighty Lion Dharma King Renzeng Nyima; H.E. Dharma King Ngagwang Pedma Namgyal Palzangpo; H.E. Mindrolling Khenchen Rinpoche; H.E. Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche; H.E. Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche; H.E. Urgyen Xirao Woxiu; H.E. Dorje Rinzin Rinpoche, H.E. Dharma King Shechen Rabjam; H.E. Dzogchen Dharma Kings; and other holy monastics who are Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will forever live in this world and forever turn the wheel of the dharma.

International Buddhism Sangha Association